KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A man contracted to teach yoga at Parkville Children's Cottage School pleaded guilty Thursday to molesting one of his students.
Christian Hammond was sentenced to 10 years for second-degree child molestation.
According to court documents, the victim, a six-year-old boy, told investigators that on Nov. 7, 2017, he received a hug from the yoga teacher. During that hug, Hammond allegedly reached down the child's pants and squeezed the boy's genitals and buttocks multiple times.
Hammond admitted that he knew the victim and had known the child for the whole time he has taught at the school.
According to a probable cause statement, Hammond told investigators he hugged the boy with two arms and put his hand on his backside and genitals outside his pants and squeezed. Hammond stated that this occurred in the "pit" area of the school while he was sitting on the steps. Hammond said it occurred less than 10 times but more than four times.
In charging documents, when a detective asked Hammond why he picked the victim, he stated, "I don't know he is a cute child."
According to Parkville police, Hammond was a contractor with the school who taught ballet and yoga on Tuesdays.
